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RT reports a source close to the case at the Ecuadorian foreign ministry told the Press Association: “Given that the European arrest warrant no longer holds, Ecuador will now be intensifying its diplomatic efforts with the UK so that Julian Assange can gain safe passage in order to enjoy his asylum in Ecuador.”

The source added Ecuador “welcomes the decision” to drop the charges against Assange.

“This decision follows the interview of Julian Assange in Ecuador’s embassy in London in November 2016. Ecuador regrets that the Swedish prosecutor delayed more than four years in carrying out this interview.”

It comes after prime minister Theresa May said any decision about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s arrest or otherwise is an “operational matter” for police.

Asked if she would support the UK extraditing Assange to the US, May said: “We look at extradition requests when we receive them on a case-by-case basis.

“And in relation to Julian Assange, any decision that is taken about UK action in relation to him were he to leave the Ecuadorian embassy would be an operational matter for police.”

Her comments come as WikiLeaks called on the British government to “confirm or deny” whether Assange would be extradited after a rape investigation against him in Sweden was dropped on Friday.

“The UK has refused to confirm or deny whether it has already received a US extradition warrant for Julian Assange. Focus now moves to the UK,” WikiLeaks tweeted.